Local TD and Minister of State for Business, Employment, and Retail, Emer Higgins, has welcomed the announcement of €26,789 in funding for four biodiversity projects in South Dublin as part of the €2.8 million Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF). First established in 2018, the LBAF aims to assist local authorities in implementing actions that support biodiversity. Since its inception, the fund has distributed over €8.6 million to local authorities.
Minister Higgins stated: “I really welcome this investment in the following local programs: €8,500 to Ground-Nesting Birds Project in Waterstown Park , €8,500 to Woodland Orchid Survey , €8,500 to survey of Waterbodies/Ponds in South Dublin County and €1,289 for recording Irish Mayfly and establishing a conservation status.
South Dublin County Council will receive a total of €26,789 from this initiative. This funding is a significant boost for promoting and improving biodiversity within our local community. Since its launch, 233 community projects across all 31 local authorities have been funded through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund. These projects include biodiversity education and awareness campaigns, bird conservation efforts, invasive species management, and wetland surveys.
I know this funding will be a welcome addition to our community and to protecting our native wildlife and waterways”.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD said “Local Authorities play a vital role in addressing the biodiversity crisis and in this important week for biodiversity, I’m delighted to see a record number of projects approved through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2024. The benefits realised by the locally led projects created through this Fund are shared by all of us, not least local communities.
As more and more Biodiversity Officers join the ranks of our local authorities through the Biodiversity Officer Programme, I know that the benefits for nature and people that this Fund provide are only going to grow. I’d like to congratulate the successful applicants and wish them the very best of luck in the implementation of their projects this year.”
Niall O’Donnchú, Director General, NPWS said “We’re so impressed with the diversity and creativity of these projects. Partnership is the engine that will deliver the National Biodiversity Action Plan. By working with local authorities, we can make a difference in communities on the ground, and that combined effort will make a huge impact in delivering on the ambition of the plan.”
